Butler man claims self-defense in shooting

Richard Neyman accused of killing Craig Haas

A man said he went to an apartment looking for his girlfriend and acted in self-defense by killing someone who answered the door, according to Butler police.

Richard Neyman called to report that he shot Craig Haas on West New Castle Street about 1 a.m. Thursday, police said. He was arrested at his home on East Jefferson Street and charged with homicide.

According to the criminal complaint, Neyman's girlfriend and a friend were at the apartment earlier in the day to talk to Haas about a tattoo that he wanted, but there was an argument and they left before Haas showed up.

The complaint says Neyman told police he went to the apartment, Haas answered the door and charged at him, they fought, and he fired. He then went to a salon across the street, where he found his girlfriend and her friend, and the girlfriend told him to call police.

Haas, 45, was found in his living room with a bullet hole in his back and chest, according to the complaint, but police don't yet know if the shot was fired at his chest or from behind.

Reporter Marcie Cipriani found a bullet hole in the door when WTAE Channel 4 Action News went to Haas' apartment on Thursday afternoon.

Neyman, 35, was arraigned by District Judge Louis Stoughton in Chicora and taken to the Butler County Prison. He's being held without bond while he waits for his preliminary hearing.

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